Ava McDonald, founder of Zfluence, is inspiring teen entrepreneurs across the country with her innovative approach to influencer marketing. Founded when she was just 16, Zfluence is a platform that connects teenage influencers (ages 16-25) with brands they love. Influencers apply to the platform and are accepted if they demonstrate that they are active in their communities and excel academically. Once accepted, they are connected with brands looking for Gen Z content on the website, with brands being charged $100 per month to be on the platform. This gives companies the opportunity to reach a younger audience with their advertising, while also giving high school and college students a chance to build their resumes, gain experience, or simply earn free products.
The inspiration behind Zfluence is perhaps the key reason for its success. It is unique in that it is built specifically for Gen Z. Teenagers spend a lot of time on social media, and many companies try to tailor their short-form content to appeal to this younger demographic. McDonald noticed that many of these content strategies felt ingenuine due to their highly produced and celebrity formats. She understood that younger audiences resonate more with videos they can relate to. This is where she got the idea for Zfluence—an organic way for companies to target Gen Z students. On the platform, influencers are paid in products rather than cash, ensuring that they create content for items they actually enjoy using. This creates a more genuine dynamic and supports McDonald’s belief that young people prefer relatable content.
Ava McDonald is proud of the fact that she bootstrapped her business entirely on her own. She saved money from working at a theater to launch her website and marketing campaigns. Now attending Georgetown University, she continues to pursue her business venture, revolutionizing the influencer marketing industry.
I think its really neat how she wants to focus on getting more relevant information to people. it is very annoying to get targeted information when you dont like it.